Haines, 43, previously worked as a White House deputy assistant and deputy counsel for national security affairs. Prior to that, she served as a legal advisor in the State Department. President Obama named her to the post Wednesday.

Before she joined the federal government, Haines co-owned Adrian's Book Cafe in Fells Point and served as president of the Fells Point Business Association in the late '90s. A story published by the Daily Beast Thursday noted the independent bookstore hosted monthly “Erotica Nights,” that included dinner and readings by guests of their work.

A 1995 story in The Baltimore Sun described the scene as a "cross-section of America. Twentysomethings and fiftysomethings" eating chicken tostadas and listening to the readings. "The atmosphere in this cozy room with red candles resembles a slightly-awkward dinner party for eight," The Sun wrote.

From 2007 to 2008, Haines worked on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, according to the White House. She clerked for Judge Danny Boggs on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit from 2002 to 2003. She received a degree in physics from the University of Chicago and a law degree from Georgetown University.

Republican Gov. Larry Hogan pledged bipartisanship and offered a conciliatory tone during his snowy inauguration Wednesday, promising "to create an environment of trust and cooperation, where the best ideas rise to the top based on upon their merit."

Advocates for programs spending state dollars on stem cell research or investment in technology companies were nervous about what Gov. Larry Hogan's budget would hold for them, given warnings of "strong medicine" to cure fiscal woes.

Calling it a first step toward fully restoring the death penalty in Maryland, Del. Pat McDonough said he plans to introduce a bill that would mandate capital punishment for anyone convicted of killing a police or correctional officer, a firefighter or witness during the performance of their...

Marilyn J. Mosby was formally sworn in as Baltimore's top prosecutor Thursday night, and pledged to work for justice for crime victims, the innocent, and minorities who are affected disproportionately by the legal system.

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley has rarely exercised his power to grant clemency to convicted criminals over his two terms, even as many gubernatorial counterparts have been more lenient amid a changing attitude toward these acts of mercy.